# Using formula reference to extract values from tables - automatic location of loads per support location

**URL:** <https://blueprint.calcs.com/t/using-formula-reference-to-extract-values-from-tables-automatic-location-of-loads-per-support-location/538>\
**Category:** Hot Tips\
**Tags:** loads, automation\
**Created:** [December 3, 2024, 4:50pm UTC](https://blueprint.calcs.com/t/using-formula-reference-to-extract-values-from-tables-automatic-location-of-loads-per-support-location/538 "2024-12-03T16:50:41Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![MaxStability](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/blueprint.calcs.com/maxstability/32/170_2.png) [@MaxStability](https://blueprint.calcs.com/u/MaxStability)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2024, 4:50pm UTC](https://blueprint.calcs.com/t/using-formula-reference-to-extract-values-from-tables-automatic-location-of-loads-per-support-location/538/1 "2024-12-03T16:50:41Z")

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I am wanting to apply loads (line/point) with a location that references the support location. For example, if my line load should only apply to the first span, instead of entering an actual number for the “End Location x\_e” of that load, what formula reference can I enter for that load to change with the support location of the beam?

I see under the dropdown menu that the formula reference of the supports is “supports”. Would the actual reference be something like “supports\_x1” or similar?

Please advise.

Thanks,  
Max.

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**Author:** ![lucas](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/blueprint.calcs.com/lucas/32/103_2.png) [@lucas](https://blueprint.calcs.com/u/lucas)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2024, 4:16am UTC](https://blueprint.calcs.com/t/using-formula-reference-to-extract-values-from-tables-automatic-location-of-loads-per-support-location/538/2 "2024-12-04T04:16:54Z")

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Hi @MaxStability thanks again for reaching out! For power users like you, the function `matrixSubset(table_reference, row_index, column_index)`is pretty useful to extract data from tables. Row and column indexes starts with 1. If you want to get the position of the third support from the image below, you would use `matrixSubset(supports, 3, 2)` which will be `10`. Please notice that it reads the row and column indexes, so if you delete rows it you may need to update the indexes from the equation. But if you only change the values in `supports`, these are automatically updated downstream.

 ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/blueprint1/original/1X/753935de684b15141c3cdd0a18cba6abf9044836.png)

Please check out this short video with an example.

https://www.loom.com/embed/72d4f88221b04ebc8ee70f8a1b238358

I hope it helps, otherwise, please let me know if you have any other questions 😉

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**Author:** ![themathguy](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/blueprint.calcs.com/themathguy/32/225_2.png) [@themathguy](https://blueprint.calcs.com/u/themathguy)\
**Post date:** [January 31, 2025, 5:23am UTC](https://blueprint.calcs.com/t/using-formula-reference-to-extract-values-from-tables-automatic-location-of-loads-per-support-location/538/3 "2025-01-31T05:23:06Z")

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Wow, this is nice to know, Thank you!

This reinforces my wish that there was a reference somewhere that lists the different functions/variables you can call from input cells.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MaxStability](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/blueprint.calcs.com/maxstability/32/170_2.png) [@MaxStability](https://blueprint.calcs.com/u/MaxStability)\
**Post date:** [January 31, 2025, 4:07pm UTC](https://blueprint.calcs.com/t/using-formula-reference-to-extract-values-from-tables-automatic-location-of-loads-per-support-location/538/4 "2025-01-31T16:07:35Z")

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Thanks for the help! I’ll be sure to use this the next time I come across it.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MaxStability](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/blueprint.calcs.com/maxstability/32/170_2.png) [@MaxStability](https://blueprint.calcs.com/u/MaxStability)\
**Post date:** [January 31, 2025, 4:09pm UTC](https://blueprint.calcs.com/t/using-formula-reference-to-extract-values-from-tables-automatic-location-of-loads-per-support-location/538/5 "2025-01-31T16:09:28Z")

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I agree, it would be nice to have a list of commands. Although, the support team is very helpful on Blueprint if you have the time to make a post.